Apparatus for treating strands with liquid



April 14, 1953 P. PENDLETON ETAL 2,634,595

APPARATUS FOR TREATING STRANDS WITH LIQUID Filed oct. e, 1948 s sheets-sheet 1 INVENTORS Evan L.. PenJ/efoh BY Ever-eff' .Sherman JA/a.. MQW;

HTTORNEV AP '14, 1953 P. L. PENDLETON ETAL 2,634,596

APPARATUS FOR TBEAIING vsIRANDs WITH LIQUID 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 6. 1948 J m n m N T 0 .r R Mdm o WI I h DML/wn W HRI Im. m w H a ,y m ,m 554W mv NW W 3. Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTRS Pyam L, Pcndlefan By Evere H' L. Shuman P. L. PENDLETON ETAL- Nv om.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING STRANDS WITH LIQUID zgdfmw ATTORNEV APA 14,1953

Filed 001'.. 6, 1948 Patented pr. i4, 1953 APPARATUS FOR TREATING STRANDS WITH LIQUID Pyam L. Pendleton, Edgewood, and Everett L. Sherman, North Scituate, R. I., assignors to Hampton Machine Company, a corporation of Rhode Island Application October 6, 1948, Serial No. 53,074

(Cl. (S8-205) 7 Claims.

This invention relates to the processing of strands of textile libres. It is more particularly concerned with a novel apparatus for reducing the rate of travel of a continuously moving strand of fibres in one section of a continuous process so that this section becomes, in effect, a storage area where lthe yarn is temporarily stored, without tension to permit time for absorption of a uid by the strand or to permit drainage or drying of the same.

The invention is utilized for the same general purpose as that class of devices known as textile storage reels, namely, for extending the period of contact between continuous moving filaments of yarn and a treating fluid. It differs in that, according to the invention, the strand is faked or laid down on and moved in piled formation at a reduced speed along a substantially plane surface, which may be either horizontal or inclined, as-a series of regular bends or figureeight loops and in a relaxed condition, in contrast with its position on conventional storage reels where it is stretched under varying degrees of tension. Thus, the invention has particular application in processes where the yarn must shrink as much as possible while under iluid treatment as, for example, in the mercerizing of cotton yarns for tire cord where, by use of the invention, a higher degree of shrinkage may take place than has heretofore been possible in storage devices for a single continuous lament. For optimum results an untwisted strand or one having a balanced twist or a twist with slight reskidual elasticity after wetting out must be used. Among the objects of the invention is to provide an improved means for temporarily storing a strand of textile bres in a continuous process to permit a particular fluid treatment of the strand to proceed to completion before withdrawing the strand and submitting the same to the next step of the process, or to permit the same to drain or to dry.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convenient and simple means for storing a continuous strand without the use of conventional storage reels.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple and improved means for changing the rate of ilow of a continuous strand as part of a continuous uid treating process by which such rate may be positively and automatically modulated for most effective utilization of the storage device.

p A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic control to regulate the advance of the stored yarn.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a yarn storing means which will be at the same time simple to construct and operate, having a low initial cost, be easily and economically maintained, be self-loading and easily stripped or changed, easily cleaned, and not subject to fouling.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts in the several views, of several embodiments of a preferred form of the invention.

Fig. l is a side elevation, partly in section of one form of the invention, making use of an inclined plane for storing the piled strand;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same;

Figs. 3 and 4 are a plan View and front longitudinal view in section, respectively, of another form of the invention in which thestrand is piled on a substantially horizontal storage plate;

Fig. 5 is still a further modication of the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4 and comprises a front longitudinal section of the horizontal type of storage plate equipped with automatic controls to regulate the input and output of strand;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a treating unit equipped with an automatic electrical control circuit which may optionally be employed to regulate the flow of yarn through the apparatus of the invention.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the embodiment there disclosed comprises an injector I0 into which a stream of any desired treating fluid may be directed under pressure from an inlet pipe I2 and guided in-to contact with a textile bre strand I4 in such fashion that the uid and the strand coaxially situated therein are jointly ejected from a common oriiice, as at I6, at a high and substantially equal velocity, while the fluid ejector manifold here disclosed is of a type adapted to direct balanced mutually opposing converging streams against the path of travel of the strand, it will be apparent that other types of ejectors may be employed so long as the strand and treating fluid carrier are simultaneously discharged at a common location. The combined stream of fluid and strand is forcibly directed at a slight angle onto an inclined plate I8 in such manner that, upon contact, the fluid spreads into a flat stream of greater section and lower velocity. The yarn then diverts its course from a straight line to a series of reverse bands, as shown at 20, somewhat similar to the graphical representation of an alternating current sine wave. and, if not drawn away from the lower end of the incline at a rate greater than that at which it is deposited, it will pile up against the ledge 22 in a series of reverse bends, as at 24, resembling al lemniscate or figure-eight curve. y

As the yarn pile forms, it tends to divert the ow of fluid and to cause the same to branch and iiow along the sides of the pile. Grooves 26 are provided to conduct this ilow to drains.

28 for recirculation, if desired. Additional longitudinal, grooves, not shown, may optionally be provided to insure the flow of liquid under the pile to an extent necessary to prevent drying out of the stored yarn which might change the coeiicient of friction between the yarn pile and the plate, thus causing the slow regular slip of the pile to vary. Where it is desired to dry the yarn, the incline can be made steeper and the optional grooves eliminated. Conventional drying means, employing radiant heat or currents of heated air, may optionally be used to dry the piled yarn. A cover member, not shown, may optionally be applied over the inclined plate,

To confine the piling strand and downwardly traveling fluid, the plate I8 is provided with raised longitudinal anges 30.

In practice, a yarn strand I4 is threaded through they manifold I and fluid pressure applied through the inlet I2. Immediately the yarn will be carried down the incline and cause to pile against the ledge 22 in a delicate regular manner. After a pile of yarn of sufficient height is accumulated, the lower end is advanced through the guide slot 32 and may be drawn olf by any suitable means, such as a pair of threaded rolls 34, at a very considerable speed without tangling.

Since the input of strand and iiuid to` the inclined plate will vary with the velocity of the fluid and the frictional resistance to movement of the yarn, it will be dflcult to coordinate the speed of the withdrawal rollsv 34 with that of the yarn input. It has been found practical, in this embodiment of the invention, to modulate the inputrather than to try to synchronize it with the output or regulate the output. For this purpose there has been provided, as shown in Fig. 1, a photoelectric cell with associated switch 36 and a source of light 38. In. this case, the inclined plate I8 is composed of transparent or translucent material, such'as acrylic plastic. When the piling strand reaches a position between the light source 38'and the photoelectric cell operated switch 36, it interrupts the transmission of light and the cell causes the switch to operate, in turn actuating the solenoid valve 40 which reduces the ow of :duid through inlet pipe I2, thus slowing input of both yarn and fluid to the device.

With the foregoing type of controlthe output rolls 34 are operated at constant speed and the speed of input of yarn will be automatically modulated, depending upon the height of the yarn pile 24.

Referring now to the embodiments of Figs. 3 and 4, it will be observed that in this form the invention makes use of a substantially horizontal plate 42 on which the yarn piles, as on the inclined plate I8 of Figs. l and 2. The yarn will be discharged from the injector I0, as before, by the frictional engagement therewith of a jet of treating fluid, the combined jet and coaxially disposed yarn impinging on the under surface 44 of an inclined plate 46. The plates 42 and 48 are disposed within the cavity formed by the container 41.

It will' be seen thatl the` traveling strand, because of the force of the associated fluid, will travel down the surface 44 and gradually assume` a substantially sine wave pattern, as at 48, in much the same. manner asit does on the upper surface of the, plate I8 of the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2. The bend-forming action of the. jet is related to the.. reduction in velocity anddispersionof. the fluid stream occurringV afterY impact. A pair of optional guides` 45 attached to the surface 44 more precisely control the widths of the dispersed jet and the zig-zag yarn pattern, their function being similar to that of the side members 30 of Figs. 1 and 2. The bent yarn is caused toV slide along the impact surface 44 in the jet fluid dispersion area principally as a result of continued kinetic fluid pressure at a diminishing rate of flow which is roughly inversely proportional to the degree of dispersion. The horizontal plate 42 is disposed directly beneath the lower end portion of the inclined plate 4B and is adapted to receive the bends of yarn on its upper surface 43 as a piled mass which is advanced slowly along the plate at a relatively low velocity compared with its velocity when a coaxial part of the jet, this slow advance being, a result of the pressure of the dispersed" fluid jet against the frontal elevation of the pilediyarn and side pressures from branches of the dispersed fluid which pass along the sidey of" thev yarn on the way to the drainage outlet 5U. Treating fluid may be drawn from the drain 50 for recirculatiom if desired.

In cases where the quantity of strand to, be stored is larger than can eifectivelybe advanced by residual pressure from the primary patternforming jet, secondary jets 52 may optionallyy be disposed to discharge at an angle against the pile and aid in its advance, although such sec-` ondary jets have no part in forming the reverse'.

bend pattern ofthe pile and are. arranged to act:

without materially disturbing the strand formation.

The advancing pile of' strand is halted by engagement with the ledge 5'4 and the strand may' be withdrawn from the device through the slot' 56 by thread rolls 34.

In cases where it is desired to advance the yarn in piled formation over a considerable distance, or for drying or other purposes', a conveyor belt, not shown, may optionally be employed in series with the plate 42. Furthermore, for certain processes the plate 42 maybe heated or the piled strand subjected to vacuum exhaust or hot air currents, While stored, or rr some cases the plate 42 may be perforated to permit air circulation, to satisfy the require'- ments of a particular process.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate variations .of the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4 which are here illustrated as provided with two Vforms of automatic control to regulate the input and output of strand. In Fig. 5 electrical means are employed to ini;-

tiate withdrawal of strand from the device While;

a mechanical brake regulates the speed ofY input. n Fig. 6 both controls are of an electrical naure.

Referring rst to Fig. 5, it will be seen that4 the strandV I4 is drawn by fluid friction through the injector manifold I Il Where it becomesa part of'a` stream of treating fluid from `the inlet I-2 and is forcibly projected coaXially therewith to impinge against the under-surface 44 of a pivoted inclined plate 4S. The yarn piles on the upper surfaceo the horizontal plate 42 and is advanced slowly toward the outlet end of the device, urged-forward by the fluid stream in the same manner as before. The auxiliary plate 58, pi-votally mounted on a pin 59, is arranged to be deflected by the advance of' the stored mass of yarn when the same has reached a predetermined length. This deflection closes a leaf switch I, actuating an external motor, notA shown, driving therolls. 345 tcil initiate withdrawal of strandfrom the' stored? p e.

gf. The inclined plate 46 is also plvotally mounted on pin 62 whereby, if delivery of yarn from the output end of the plate d2 is restricted or slowed with relation to the input of yarn, the front end of the storage pile will build up from a normal position, as shown in Fig. 4, to a position underneath the plate 43, as in Fig. 5', raising the same so as to actuate a brake 54 through mechanical linkagev, thus slowing the speed of input of strand ill without in any way affecting the flow of fluid through the manifold injector I0.

In Fig. 6 there is disclosed a schematic representation of a modification of the embodiment of Fig. 5, including circuit diagram, wherein electrical means are employed not only to regulate the discharge mechanism but also to control a solenoid type of brake '58 to modulate the input of yarn, thus modulating the travel of the strand in this section to correspond with the output iiow'. A pair of optional squeeze rolls 1B, as in Fig. 5, powered by the motor '12 has been inserted to remove the residual moisture from the piled strand prior to lbeing withdrawn from the device to be wound on a cone 9i by the winding device i4 driven by an electric motor lo.

It will be seen that strand is withdrawn from the supply cone i3, passes through a breakage or tangle stop-motion switch Bil, next through the brake 68, the fluid injector Hl, down under surface 44 of the inclined plate ll, piling on the horizontal surface Q3 of the plate Q2, as above described. Next it advances in piled formation along the surface 133 beneath the pivoted plate 5B, between the squeeze rolls lil, through a second breakage or tangle stop-motion switch S2, to be wound by the winding device 'H4 on the cone Sl. After initial loading, the device is started by pressing the starting push-button 84 which actuates a solenoid switch 85 connected to a source of electrical power 88. Making the contact 86 activates the injector manifold Ill by means of a 'solenoid valve 90, thus starting withdrawal of strand from the supply cone 'i8 for injection into the storage cavity where it will pile on the plate 42. Under the continued influence of the fluid stream, the pile advances into contact with the pivoted plate 58 which is tilted upwardly thereby, closing the switch B, in turn starting motors 12 and 16 to withdraw treated strand from the surface 43. In the event that the input of strand should become more rapid than the output, the piled strand will build up under the pivoted plate 46, closing a switch 92 arranged to activate the solenoid brake 58, thus slowing the input of strand, without diminishing the rate of flow of treating fluid, until the pile of strand has been withdrawn from under the tripping plate 46. This modulation serves automatically lto compensate for minute variations in the yarn flow into the cavity with relation to the demand of the next stage of the process, in this instance the constant speed Winder 1A. The stop-motion switches 80 and 82 are connected in series with a doi switch 94 and stop pushbutton 96 so that the device will be stopped by the breaking of the circuit by -the opening of any `one of such switches. To jog the device, a jog push-button 98 may be used in the course of threading up. The switch 94 is arranged to halt the apparatus when the cone 9| is completely loaded, while switch 80 operates to halt the operation in the event of exhaustion of strand supply.

In the various forms of the invention, the pattern-forming effect of the jet upon the yarn strand in combination with a common surface of impact may be altered by changing the angle of impact, the contour of the surface, the fluid -jet". velocity and volume, the jet uid viscosity, the I yarn section, the jet section and the ratio be- Within the ordinary range j be a ilat, or a combination of flat and curved..

surfaces so long as the result of the impact of the jet is to change the direction of flow of the yarn from a line where the plane of cross section of the yarn coincides with the plane of cross section of the jet, to a line of reversed bends, having regularly spaced points where the planer of p cross section of the yarn is at right angles to the plane of cross section of the jet.

It will therefore be seen that by the novel device of the invention there has been provided a new and improved method and means for uid treating and storing a traveling strand of textile fibers in a more efficient and economical manner than has heretofore been possible with the devices and methods of the prior art. A very considerable length of strand may be piled in a relatively short space on the storage plate of the invention where it will 'be under conditions of practically zero tension =to permit completi-on of a fluid treating operation under optimumconditions. The strand may be easily handled, the device of the invention being readily accessible'and easily threaded and very little subject to fouling and can be made from corrosion resisting plastics such as the styrenes.

Due to the simplicity of the yarn input and output mechanism, the apparatus may be readily installed as one component of a multiple step series operation. In fact, two or more devices may be connected in series and both controlled by a slight modification of the electrical circuit disclosed in Fig. 6.

While in the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings there have been disclosed and described embodiments of a preferred form of the invention, it will be appreciated that the same is subject to numerous modifications and changes within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A device for wetting a traveling strand with ing at each end, an injector for projecting the strand into one end of said chamber at high velocity simultaneously with and surrounded by a rapidly moving stream of treating fluid, said injector having a iiuid inlet adapted to be connected to a high pressure source of treating iiuid. an opening for introducing the traveling strand into said stream to be propelled thereby, and an outlet orifice for discharging the combined stream and strandinto said storage chamber through one of its openings, an inclined plate arranged in said chamber opposite said orifice and presenting to said stream and strand a smooth downwardly inclined surface at a slight angle thereto upon which the same may impinge and thereby be slowed in their travel, whereby the uid and strand will flow down said surface, the strand assuming a generally sinusoidal pattern of reverse bends, a horizontal storage plate extending withof strand from the foot of said pile through thel other of said openings in saidV chamber, and a drain in the' bottom: of'said vcontainer for carry` ing oif' used fluid'.

2; A devicefor wetting a traveling strand with treating uid and for temporarily storing the.

wetted strand in piled formation in an elongated storager chamber in a relaxed condition in such a manner as to facilitate withdrawal without tangling, which comprises: a container providing anelongated storage chamber having an opening ateach end, an injector-for projecting the strand into one end of said chamber at high velocity simultaneously with and surrounded by a rapidly4 moving stream of treating fluid, said injectorhaving a fluid inlet adapted to be connected to a high pressure source of treating uid,`

an opening for introducing the traveling strand into said stream to be propelled thereby, and an outlet orifice for discharging the combined stream and strand into said storage chamber through one of its openings, an inclined plate arranged-in said chamber opposite said orice, the underside of'said'platelpresenting to said stream and strand a smooth downwardly inclined surface at a slight angle thereto upon which the same may impinge and thereby be slowed in their travel, whereby thefluildand'- strand will now down said surface, the strand assuming a generally sinusoidal pattern` of reverse bends, a horizontal strand storage plateextending within said' chamber and arranged with one end' beneath said' surface to receive Said fluid and said bent strand as a pile of overlapping gure-eights propelled by fluid flowv along said storage plate, a barrier disposedA at the other end of said horizontal plate a. considerable. distance from said orice to halt the progress of said piled strand, said barrier being arranged to permit withdrawal of piled strand from the foot of said pile through the other of said openings in said chamber, a drain inthe bottom of said container for carrying off used'luid, anda drawing device for withdrawing strand' from the foot of said pile.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including sensing means responsive to the length of piled strand on said storage plate and strand feed and withdrawal regulating means controlled by said sensing means for controlling the input to and'withdrawal of the same from said chamher.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which said inclined plate is pivotedV at its upper end' and may be swung upwardly by the piling of strand under its lower end and including a brake acting on said strand as it enters said injectorr andA operatively connected to said plate to, apply braking force to said strand responsive to the swung positionof said plate for regulating the inputA speed of said strand.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including auxiliary means for advancing the piled strandalong said horizontal plate.

6. A device for wetting a traveling strand with treating fluid and for temporarily storing the wetted strand in; piled formation in anY elongated storage zone in a relaxed condition insuch a manner as to facilitate withdrawal without tangling, which comprises: a structure providing an elongated strand storage zone, an injector for projecting said strand into said zone at high ve locity simultaneously with and surrounded by a.

rapidly moving stream of treating fluid, said injector having a fluid inlet adapted to be connected to a high pressure source of treating fluid, an opening for introducing the traveling strandinto said stream to be propelled thereby and an outlet orifice for discharging the combined stream and strand into said storage zone, said structure including a plate construction within said zone presenting to said stream and strandl a smooth downwardly sloping strand receivingv surface at a slight angle thereto upon which thesame may impinge and thereby be slowed in their travel, whereby the fluid and strand will flow down said surface, the strand assuming a generally sinusoidal pattern of reverse bends, said plate construction including a second and generally horizontal surface beyond and beneath said rst named surface on which said bends may pile and advance as a seriesvof overlapping figure eights, and a barrier mounted on said last named surface to halt the progress of said pile.

7. A device for wetting a traveling strand with treating fluid and for temporarily storing the wetted strand in piled formation in an elongated storage zone in a relaxed condition in such a manner as to facilitate withdrawal without tangling, which comprises: a structure providing an elongated strand storage zone, an injector for projecting said strand into said zone at high velocity simultaneously with a rapidly moving stream of treating fluid, said injector having a fluid inlet adapted to be connected to a high pressure source of treating fluid, an opening for introducing the traveling strand into said stream to be propelled thereby, and an outlet orice for discharging the combined stream and strand into said storage zone, said structure including a plate construction within said zone presenting to said stream and strand a smooth downwardly sloping strand receiving surface at a slight angle thereto upon which the same may impinge and thereby be slowed in their travel, whereby the uid and strand will ow down said surface, the strandassuming a generally sinusoidal patternof reverse bends, said plate construction including a` second and generally horizontal surface beyond and beneath said rst named surface on which said bends may pile and advance as a series of overlapping lgure eights, and a barrier mounted on said last named surface to halt the progress of said pile, means for withdrawing said strand over said barrier, and drains associated with said structure for draining used treating fluid from said zone.

PYAM L. PENDLETON. EVERETT L. SHERMAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Numberl 

